FAQs

Early allergen introduction is the process of gradually introducing common allergenic foods to your baby as early as four months of age. Recent groundbreaking clinical trials have showed that early allergen introduction can help prevent food allergies, which have been followed by guidelines from leading health organizations all recommending early allergen introduction. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published new guidelines in 2019 recommending "early introduction of peanuts" to prevent food allergies. Learn more about these new guidelines here.

All babies are at risk for developing food allergies. While babies with a food allergy family history or eczema are at higher risk, research conclusively shows that 1 in 13 children, regardless of risk factors, will develop a food allergy. In addition, eczema is the most significant risk factor for developing food allergies. Up to 67% of infants with severe eczema, and 25% of infants with mild eczema, will develop a food allergy. Learn more about your baby's risk using our customized food allergy risk quiz.

Yes, early allergen introduction is safe. Feeding allergens to kids under 1 year of age is the safest time to start. Less than one percent of children under the age of 1 have any reaction at all, and when they do, it is mild. Learn more about the safety of early allergen introduction here.

A food allergic reaction can lead to symptoms like hives, swelling of lips/tongue, stomach upset, breathing problems, and other symptoms. In babies, hives and vomiting are the most common symptoms of a food allergic reaction. These symptoms usually occur within seconds to minutes and almost always within 2 hours. A food allergy should not be confused with a food intolerance, which is an adverse health effect caused by foods and usually involves the digestive system. Symptoms of different food intolerances can include: diarrhea, gas, bloating and/or stomach ache. Learn more about common symptoms of a food allergic reaction here.

Currently, doctors and scientists do not believe that eating allergens during pregnancy or while breastfeeding is enough to reduce the risk of food allergies, but this area is still being studied. The 2020 AAAAI (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) Guidance says, "although exclusive breastfeeding is universally recommended for all mothers, there is no specific association between exclusive breastfeeding and the primary prevention of any specific food allergy.”

Although breastfeeding imparts countless benefits for mother and child, there is still inconclusive evidence proving that breastfeeding alone can reduce a baby’s risk of developing food allergies. Therefore, in addition to breastfeeding, early and sustained allergen introduction is recommended, regardless of the mother’s diet. Learn more about breastfeeding and food allergies here.

The current guidelines for early allergen introduction recommend feeding your baby common allergenic foods between 4 and 6 months of age. These guidelines are supported by landmark clinical trials that show early allergen introduction can help prevent up to 80% of food allergies. Leading health organizations including the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), NIH (National Institutes of Health), and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) all confirmed that feeding your baby allergenic foods early and often can help prevent food allergies. Learn more about these guidelines here.

It’s recommended to start as early as 4 months of age. However in the major clinical trials, some babies started as late as 11 months and still found a reduction in food allergies, so between 4-11 months of age is the recommended window for feeding allergens to your baby. But delaying introduction can increase your baby's risk of developing of a food allergy, so again, it's important to start as early as 4 months according to new guidelines.

No, based on the 2020-2025 USDA Dietary Guidelnes for Americans and guidelines from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), all babies can start early allergen introduction without consulting with a health care provider first, no matter their risk factors. However, while it's not required, you can always still consult with your health care provider if you have any specific concerns or questions.

We have several resources for families on how to introduce allergens including recipes and products to make early allergen introduction easier for busy families. Learn more on our recipes page.

No, the clinical trials and current guidelines recommend 3 to 6+ months of regular, sustained exposure to common allergenic foods. In fact, in the LEAP study, babies were exposed to allergens for 4 years! It all depends on when a parent begins early allergen introduction, but the right time to finish early allergen introduction is when a baby is regularly consuming common allergenic foods as part of their normal diet. For many families, this will be about 6 months from starting.

Studies have determined that early allergen introduction is particularly important for this group, as infants with eczema actually have a significantly higher risk of developing food allergies. Up to 67% of infants with severe eczema, and 25% of infants with mild eczema, will develop a food allergy. Learn more about your baby's risk using our customized food allergy risk quiz.